Even Part 2, and studios just love, love, love to leak information on upcoming sequels if only to continue to build awareness of the film that’s still in theaters.
Now I know what people are going to say, “Of course they’re going to make more! Insurgent made over $271 million worldwide on a budget of $110 million.” Sure, on a production budget of $110 million, factor in theater splits, marketing (which had to be well over $100 million alone) and other costs related to releasing a feature film and there isn’t much left over. “But, but, but… DVDs and Blu-rays!” Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night, but fact of the matter is this franchise is hardly a cash cow.
So, with the sequel showing no sign of gaining an audience I actually wondered if Lionsgate would end up making Allegiant, or, at the very least, would they turn it into a two-part feature? My main reasoning had nothing to do with the fact I think these are terrible movies, but more to do with even fans of the first book have told me “Allegiant” is by far the worst in the series. So with Insurgent sucking wind to match the box office performance of its predecessor, why not just turn Allegiant into one movie and be done with it?
Well, today all is answered as The Hollywood Reporter reveals Jeff Daniels has come aboard to star in both Allegiant: Part 1 and 2 playing David, the leader of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare, as Shailene Woodley and Theo James return as Tris and Four respectively, as they continue to lead an uprising and learn more about how a future, ruined Chicago becomes a society that defines its citizens by strict conformity to their social and personality-related affiliations with five different factions. As for Daniels’ character, the Bureau of Genetic Welfare is behind the creation of the societies in which Tris and Four are living.
Insurgent director Robert Schwentke returns to direct Part 1 for a Mar. 18, 2016 release, though it is still unknown if he’ll also direct Part 2, hitting theaters in 2017.
